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POLITICO 44

A widening federal criminal investigation into the state Republican Party’s credit card usage is unsettling the Florida GOP Senate primary, raising concerns about its potential effect on GOP front-runner Marco Rubio’s campaign and providing hope to Democrats who believe it could be the story line that stalls the surging conservative’s momentum.

The Internal Revenue Service is now exploring the tax records of Rubio, former state party Chairman Jim Greer and former GOP Executive Director Delmar Johnson to determine whether they improperly used party credit cards for personal expenses, according to a joint report Wednesday by the Miami Herald and the St. Petersburg Times.

The inquiry, which stemmed from the indictment of former state House Speaker Ray Sansom, will in part focus on the more than $100,000 Rubio charged to a state party American Express card during the two years he was House speaker. In addition, the FBI is looking into whether Sansom and others made false statements on their tax returns.

The probe has cast a shadow over the GOP primary, in which Florida Gov. Charlie Crist must soon decide whether to remain a candidate or run as an independent. The governor has targeted Rubio’s credit card spending for months, arguing that it undercuts his fiscal conservative credentials. To date, however, the scrutiny hasn’t registered much of an impact, as Rubio has built a double-digit lead in polls and recently raked in a jaw-dropping quarterly fundraising haul.

But Democrats insist the latest developments in the investigation will grab the attention of a wider pool of voters.

“The more entities are looking at it, the more serious it is in the eyes of voters,” said Dave Beattie, a Florida Democratic pollster. “It provides the opportunity to tie these spending problems directly to Rubio. It reinforces the image of a typical politician. And voters ascribe to the ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ belief when it comes to politicians.”

“I think Kendrick’s the guy who is sitting around, who is enjoying this whole thing. I would encourage him to jump on it. I think it’s an opportunity for him,” Schale said.

The Meek campaign said it was closely following the story to gauge its impact, pointedly noting that while Rubio is the focus of the investigation, Crist was closely linked to Greer, who served as his handpicked party chairman.

No shadow in my book. A badge of honor to be investigated by this administration. The investigation actually means that the WH et al are concerned and trying to intimidate anyone who disagrees with Marx, Alinsky and company.

Gee, it would appear Chicago politics are at work once again. It would be interesting if we had real news reporters in DC asking old WHITE HOUSE BOB about the story. The only worth WHB has is the humor he provides daily by dancing on a string with the programmed questions he is asked. The charade goes on....

This isn't a big deal - but it serves to remind people that C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me). You can throw around a copy of the constitution, strap a gun to your back, paint a Hitler mustache on Obama, and pay thousands to SarahPAC - but one thing will always be true: Politicians are politicians. They all want your money and they will spend it however they want.

That's why Obama is the change. You have to trust your elected leaders to some extent. That's why I'm very very happy with all this hopey changey.

Intimidated by baby-face here? Rubio looks like a deer in the headlights. He doesn't have any idea what is going on - he's just super excited to use the company card. Isn't it more likely that Mr. Crist wants this investigated than the WH? What the heck does Obama care about Rubio - he hasn't even one the primary yet. Pull your head out.

Does anyone recall Senator Stevens of Alaska being charged and convicted of accepting bribes on trumped up evidence and false testimony that resulted in the Fed. Prosecutors being replaced and then the case reversed? While this farce was going on he lost the election by a VERY slim margin and was replaced by the light weight Obama lap dog Begich. All this under the Dem congress. If I was Rubio I would be scared to death of this pack of liars!

Hmmm...I thought they are all about being fiscally conservative? I guess they are only conservative about using their own money, but it is ok when spending the tax payers money on themselves and their rich friends. You got to give it to the Republicans, they certainly know how to make money for themselves using other people's money and still able to keep a straight face.

Back Wax Rube must have really abused his GOP-GoldCardElite privileges judging from the ruckus that's ensued. Apparently he charged a lot more than just the standard Latino metrosexual high maintenance beauty treatments.

And the Tea Party Express Crazy Train surges aroundthe bend! If Crist has any pride he'll run as an independent anyhow, which would put Rubio third in a three way race. The only strategy Rubio had was to knock Crist out due to wingnut domination of the GOP. Now his fiscal conservative credentials are damaged even if he doesn't get indicted. And Crist can basically just stop trying to pander to the wackaloons, and start appealing to the majority of the population.

Does anyone recall Senator Stevens of Alaska being charged and convicted of accepting bribes on trumped up evidence and false testimony that resulted in the Fed. Prosecutors being replaced and then the case reversed? While this farce was going on he lost the election by a VERY slim margin and was replaced by the light weight Obama lap dog Begich. All this under the Dem congress. If I was Rubio I would be scared to death of this pack of liars!

So you think the Dem congress was behind the Ted Stevens investigation that was announced in 2007 and resulted in his indictment in July, 2008 and conviction in October, 2008?

So now Charlie Crist has sought the help of the Obama SS Squad in the political assassination of his opponent. Hope they have time during the busy Goldman Sachs season. If this sort thuggery doesn't chill you to the bone, nothing ever will.

Look the wrong way, disagree with The Anointed One, fall out of line, the Left pounces with the authority of "The Law". Hey whatever happened to Barry's real estate scam in Chicago, or Tony Rezko, Rod Blagojevich, Roland Burris, buying Sestak etc. etc.